Knowledge mapping analysis of Ebola research.

OBJECTIVE: To reveal the overall situation of research on Ebola virus via visual knowledge mapping analyses of the literatures regarding Ebola virus all around the world, e.g., literature metrology and topic evolvement. METHODS: On the basis of the database Web of Knowledge (SCI), a knowledge graph was built by comprehensively utilizing software such as BIBEXCEL, GEPHI, VOSVIEWER, and HistCite. RESULTS: According to the results of literature analysis, publications on Ebola virus boomed in 2014, and the research focus transferred gradually from basic research (viral glycoprotein) in 1999 to the prevention and treatment research (vaccine). The United States are in a dominant position in the field of Ebola virus research, wherein the US army (United States Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases) has the strongest research capacity. DISCUSSION: Ebola virus is an important potential biological warfare agent, and some researches may not be published in the form of literature. So the result of literature metrology can only partially reflect the situation of Ebola virus research. In addition, close attention should be paid to the biosafety risk of Ebola research (Tab. 5, Fig. 5, Ref. 14).